The term "scholarly and creative productivity" comprises a variety of activities, including those typically defined as research. Because activities considered to be scholarly and creative productivity vary considerably from discipline to discipline, the University recognizes that scholarly and creative productivity includes all forms of discovery and integration of knowledge, critical analysis, and products and performances.
A large subset within the area of scholarly and creative productivity is commonly called research. The term "research" has been defined by the University Research Council, and the faculty evaluation system shall continue to recognize the University Research Council's definition of research and modes of documenting research:
A deliberative process which contributes to the expansion of knowledge and understanding, applies such knowledge and understanding to societal issues, or exemplifies creative expression in a specific field of study. The results of research and creative activities are shared with professionals outside the University through a peer-reviewed or juried process in a manner appropriate to the discipline.
The University recognizes both the scholarship of discovery and scholarship of integration. The scholarship of discovery contributes to knowledge and involves the pursuit of knowledge and/or creative expression for its own sake. The scholarship of integration interprets, draws together, and brings new insight to bear on original research or creative expressions.
The evaluation of scholarly and creative productivity requires consideration of a variety of factors and must consider the quality and significance of each contribution. Factors used to evaluate meritorious scholarly and creative productivity include but are not limited to: